Tomás Luis de Victoria: ‘Hail, Mother of the Redeemer’ – The Sixteen, Harry Christophers
The long-established tradition of devotion to the Virgin Mary resulted in some superb settings by Spanish composers. Tomás Luis de Victoria was, quite possibly, the most outstanding composer of the Renaissance and this recording features a tantalising selection of the sumptuous music he wrote in honour of the Virgin Mary, including some exquisite Marian motets and the glorious Missa ‘Alma Redemptoris Mater’.
"...this disc celebrates the 400th anniversary of Victoria’s death with a high majesty and temperature well suited to the occasion."
Peter Quantrill - Gramophone - July 2011
Performance ***** Recording *****
"Harry Christophers’s love of Victoria suffuses this sumptuous recording of music dedicated to the Virgin - a theme that clearly inspired the composer..."
Berta Joncus - BBC Music Magazine - May 2011
Editor’s Choice
"This is state-of-the-art Renaissance singing by a choir and conductor who have done more than most to deepen our awareness, and enjoyment of music created in an ancient world few of us can understand." *****
Philip Clark - Classic FM Magazine - May 2011
"With the sumptuous six-part Congratulamini mihi and the double-choir Alma Redemptoris mater as significant landmarks, the Sixteen explores music by Tomás Luis de Victoria. Victoria could apply himself equally to the sublime contemplation of Sancta Maria and to the jublilant fervour of the Magnificat, a range of expression that the Sixteen embraces." ****
Geoffrey Norris
